The new Lunchtime Concert series bursts into life next Wednesday, as pianist Helen Crayford explores the world of ragtime piano music, with pieces by Scott Joplin, Fats Waller and George Gerswhin – all in period costume!
Our usual Wednesday series opens its doors next week – admission is free, with donations in support of the series always very welcome! Our thanks to Furley Page Solicitors, whose generous support continues to allow us to develop our programme of lunchtime concerts again this year.
The concert starts at 1.10pm, and will finish at 1.50pm, to allow you to get to 2pm commitments. Full details on our What’s On page here.
Well done to the new Music Society team for their hard work both yesterday and today; today the society stall was awash with people signing up amidst a thronging hubbub in the Eliot marquee.
Last year’s President, Emma, cheerfully serenaded passers-by with her accordion – one expected to see spontaneous Morris dancing break out or riotous shanty-ing – whilst the string-players were out in force, with Amy gainfully sporting the sandwich-board whilst Chantelle and Leilan press-ganged – sorry, encouraged – potential Camerata and Orchestra players to sign up.
Elsewhere, the rest of the society team were manning – and womaning! – the society stall amongst the surging hoardes. Well done, team; it all starts next week…!
Hold onto your hats: the new What’s On for September to December has now been published online.
Embracing everything from ancient instruments to contemporary chamber opera, the Colyer-Fergusson Hall will be abuzz this Autumn, bringing some of the very best music across the next four months.
Strange and Ancient Instruments
The Lunchtime Concert series begins with Rags to Riches, as pianist Helen Crawford brings her period-costume-bedecked performance of ragtime music on Weds 8 October; we’re delighted to be launching the new ensemble-in-residence, CantiaQuorum, who open their residency with Bach and Copland on Weds 5 November, as a curtain-raiser to their first formal concert later in the month with Stravinsky and Walton. December’s lunchtime concert involves the Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments exploring the common ground between Renaissance, Baroque and traditional Norwegian music.
We’re also participating in the University’s fiftieth-year celebration through 2014-15, including featuring alumni and Honorary Doctorate recipients; and as the latter, we are delighted to welcome acclaimed harpsichordist and conductor, Trevor Pinnock, in October in a recital of music by Bach.
Chorus and Orchestra perform music by Mozart and Beethoven, and the term concludes with the usual Big Band seasonal cracker in December (see what I did there…).
A warm welcome, too, to all those visiting performers coming to the Colyer-Fergusson Hall, including Nova Music Ensemble who come in October as part of the Canterbury Festival, bringing contemporary chamber operas by Cecilia McDowall and Stephen McNeff.
There’s plenty to look forward to: check all that’s coming up online here.
Exciting to have had harpsichordist and conductor Trevor Pinnock recording in the Colyer-Fergusson Hall this week. The founder of the English Concert and exponent of works for harpsichord has been in the building to record his forthcoming disc.
We’re delighted that Trevor will be giving a recital here in October, details of which will be published soon when our concert diary goes live online next week – a sure sign that term cannot be far away…
The annual Music Prizes were awarded last week to a selection of students who have made an outstanding contribution to the musical life of the University this year; and what a year it has been!
Marina receiving her award from Rosie Turner
The Canterbury Festival Music Prize, awarded to a final-year student who has made an outstanding contribution to music was awarded to Marina Ivanova, in her final year reading Economics. Since coming to Kent as a Music Scholar, Marina has participated in Chorus, Chamber Choir, Cecilian Choir, Lost Consort, as well as being a soloist in the Colyer-Fergusson Cathedral Concert, Vivaldi Gloria; she also took part in the Dame Anne Evans masterclass in the autumn, and many other recitals. The prize was presented by the Director of the Canterbury Festival, Rosie Turner.
Alex Turner receives her award from Jonathan Monckton
The Colyer-Fergusson Music Prize, which is awarded each year to a student who has made a major contribution to organising music at the University, was presented to Alex Turner, a second-year student reading Biomedical Science. The prize recognises her exceptional all-round behind-the-scenes organising and admin skills as Concert Band/Big Band assistant (and flautist, and sax player), and in other music activities including the Symphony Orchestra (flute and piccolo), Dance Orchestra, the flute ensemble, as well as playing in the pit-band for this year’s Musical Theatre Society’s production of Hair. Alex received her prize from Jonathan Monckton, Chair of the Colyer-Fergusson Charitable Trust.
John Craven presents Gordon Wood with his award
The John Craven Music Prize, which goes to a returning student who has made a major contribution to music at Kent, this year went to Gordon Wood, in his second year reading Philosophy. A Music Scholar, Gordon plays double bass in Symphony Orchestra, Camerata, String Sinfonia, Dance Orchestra, tuba in Concert Band, Double bass/bass guitar in Big Band, and at various Watch This Space and jazz gigs. John Craven himself was there in person to make the presentation.
Matthew Bamford receives his award from Dan Lloyd
The University Music Awards Committee Prize, for a student who has made a special contribution to music, was awarded jointly to two final-years students; Matthew Bamford, reading International Business, and Carina Evans, reading Accounting and Finance. Matthew’s award was for his all-round contribution to music-making this year. Student conductor of Chamber Choir, MD for Musical Theatre Society’s production of Hair, sings in Chorus, Chamber Choir, Cecilian Choir and Treasurer of the Music Society.
Dan Lloyd presents Carina Evans with her prize
Carina’s prize recognises her contribution, as a University Music Scholar, to music over three years as timpanist and percussionist with the Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Camerata and many recitals on marimba. Both students received their award from committee-member, Dr Dan Lloyd.
Finally, the First-Year Prize, awarded if appropriate to a student who has made a significant contribution to music-making during their first year of study, went to Joe Prescott. Reading English Language and Linguistics, Joe has made a significant impact on music as a University Music Scholar since arriving in September, playing jazz trumpet in Big Band and Dance Orchestra, Trumpet in Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, as well as singing tenor in Chorus, Chamber Choir, Cecilian Choir.
First-year Joe Prescott receives his award from Keith Mander
The musical life of the University is nothing without the commitment, enthusiasm and participation of its student community – our thanks and congratulations to all the prize winners for their outstanding involvement in, and contributions to, what has been a memorable year. Here’s looking forward to the next!
Although Summer Music Week was over, we couldn’t let the opportunity for one final event to pass us by, and for the Dance Orchestra to have one final farewell. On the last day of term, General Harding’s Tomfoolery gathered on the cabaret-stage in the Gulbenkian Cafe to bid a fleet-footed farewell not just to the term, but to the academic year – and to an industrious few weeks of performing! (Was it really only on 31 May that the band won Keynestock and embarked on its six-gigs-in-twenty-one-days spree ?!)
Our usual bass-player was away that day – a tip o’ the straw hat to Jenn Morgan who stepped up to play, and performed as though she’d been a part of the band for ages.
Thanks to the Gulbenkian for hosting us, and to everyone who has been a part of the group this year.
Summer Music Week drew to a rousing close on Sunday 15 June with Music for a Summer’s Day, with contributions from the University Chorus, Orchestra, Concert Band and Chamber Choir, followed by a very civilised cream tea reception in the Registry Lawn marquee.
The concert included the Concert Band in dynamic form in a medley of James Bond themes, two final-year singing Scholars moving the audience to tears in You’ll Never Walk Alone, a thigh-slapping choral selection from Mary Poppins, scenic Eric Coates from the Orchestra, some lively pieces from the Chamber Choir, and a stirring finale with Land of Hope and Glory in which the audience joined in. A terrific occasion.
Thanks to Matt Wilson as usual for these lovely images of a fitting conclusion not just to Summer Music Week itself, but to a year of music-making at the University.
Thanks to Matt Wilson for these stunning photos of General Harding’s Tomfoolery inspiring the audience to dance on the Wednesday of Summer Music Week. Comprising student musicians and run by your loyal correspondent, this vibrant twelve-piece dance orchestra rekindled the spirit of the 1930s, and members of the audience were inspired to leap to their feet during classic tunes such as In The Mood and Minnie the Moocher.
The group performs from original 1930s sheet music, a bequest to the department some years ago from the Ken Lewis Dance Orchestra; the archive of pieces, still tied with original string, brittle with age and use, is an astonishing memento of the era – it’s fantastic to be breathing new life into these venerable instrumental parts.
Our usual Wednesday series opens its doors next week – admission is free, with donations in support of the series always very welcome! Our thanks to Furley Page Solicitors, whose generous support continues to allow us to develop our programme of lunchtime concerts again this year.
